Photo of the Week - Bull Elk

During the late summer and autumn months, the Rocky Mountain bull elk is a strong and healthy looking animal. During this time, they begin fighting for territory and gathering their harem for mating. It is a time of action packed, spectator sport action. It is the time of the rut.The bull, in the image above, was the alpha male for a harem of cows numbering about 15 at the time of the time the photograph was taken. It is possible it grew beyond that as the mating time drew near. The Smoky Mountain elk population is very healthy and continues to grow every year. It is a true joy to see these majestic animals once again roam the eastern states.